Fiberglass gurus, please look!!!

[Bobo]

Hey guys!

I'm very curious about fiberglass, and how to cast things from it. I want to try and see if I could make something from FG, but I need your help!

I have a DP helmet, and I'd like to know what it takes to make a recast of it in FG. I understand FG is harmful, so I guess I'd have to take necessary precautions but aside from that...what do I need to begin? Where do I start?

Thanks in advance,
Bobo

*edit: whoa, I'm a TDH Captain! w00t! *

 

[Concord Dawn]

My first piece of advice would be to buy this book :

The Prop Builder's Molding and Casting Handbook
By Thurston James

You can get a copy at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1558701281/qid=1069099345/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-7370155-9226515?v=glance&s=books

Full of help on molding with lots of different materials, including fibreglass, so a good place to start


HTH


CD

 

[Bobo]

Thanks for the info!
I guess another question is...how hard is it to do?

 

[BOBA PHAT]

It's not that hard once you get the hang of it, but my first few tries were not good. My advise, invest in some silicone RTV, use plenty of gelcote, and use FG matt and not cloth. Good Luck!

 

[Mando Gunslingerr]

i just bought the moldmaking book and also the mask making book by Thurston James....and they are both full of great info and pics...hopefully i'll be able to go from an amateur hack artist to a professional hack artist....

 

[Bobo]

Thanks alot! I'll definitely look into that book, I hope I'll be able to find it in a store in town.

Another question, how long does one pull take from FG?

 

[judz dwedd]

If you're gonna go through all the trouble to mold and cast a helmet, find something better than a DP to work from.

Try building your model yourself.

I and several other members here have made their own helmets, and I presonally think they look much better than any DP helmet.

 

[Bexley]

Thurston's book is a gret resource for casting, but his coverage of fiberglass is really lacking. Try this. It's way more comprehensive. It covers polyesters, vinylesters, epoxies, carbon fibers, molds, pressure casting...

Sadly, it's out of print (and an import to boot) but if you can get a hold of one, it's a great resource to have.

 

[E2K13]

THanks Concorde Dawn and Bexley!
I ordered both of those books based off your recommendations the other day from Amazon!
I can't wait to get them!

 

[E2K13]

Well the Propbuilders Guide came over the weekend. I must say that it is a pretty good book. Thanks again for the recommendation

 

[E2K13]

Bexley wrote:
Thurston's book is a gret resource for casting, but his coverage of fiberglass is really lacking. Try this. It's way more comprehensive. It covers polyesters, vinylesters, epoxies, carbon fibers, molds, pressure casting...

Sadly, it's out of print (and an import to boot) but if you can get a hold of one, it's a great resource to have.

Good call on this book too! It was very comprehensive! Thanks!

 

[Bexley]

No problem. I'd highly reccomend it to anyone who wants to make their own fiberglass parts.